A Silver Creek Christmas

"I should have found another way to go about this," he said. "I should have put you in protective custody instead of standing you up at the altar. But that would have meant your leaving the ranch, maybe forever. I figured you'd have an easier chance giving me up rather than this place."

"You did it so I could keep the ranch," she mumbled. She looked up at him with so many questions in her eyes. Questions that she didn't ask because without warning, she leaned in and put her mouth to his.

Joe didn't brace himself nearly enough for a kiss from her. Especially since the emotion was zinging between them.

"You should rest," he reminded her, though it was difficult to say aloud. His body wanted to veto anything that would put a stop to a steamy kissing session.

"I don't want to rest." And she went back for more, pulling him closer and closer. She flung aside the letter and kept on kissing him until Joe knew they were nearing the point of no return.

"You're not ready for this," he insisted.

"I'm ready," she insisted right back. "Hush and kiss me."

Sara hooked her arm around his neck and pulled him down on the bed with her.